Engine gang-plow.



C. H. MELVIN.

ENGINE GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED MAY15,1909.

1,149,074., Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

COLUMBIA PLANDORAPH c0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

C. H. MELVIN.

ENGINE GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I5. I909.

1,149,074. Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Ida M II Mug COLUMBIA PLANDCIRAFH CO., WASHINGTON. D C.

CHARLES H. .MELVIN, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO DEERE & COMPANY, A

CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ENGINE GANG-PLOW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 15, 1909. Serial No. 496,103.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES H. MELVIN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Moline, in the county of RockIsland and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Engine Gang- Plows, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had herein to the accompanying drawing. I

This invention relates to engine gang plows of the type in which each isprovided with the following principal elements; first, a main draftframe adapted to be hitched to a tractor; second, a series of plow beamsor frames each connected to the draft frame by means of a horizontalhinging de vice held with its axis normally fixed in relation to theground, preferably by being mounted directly upon the draft framevitself; third, a series of plow bodies connected normally rigidly to thebeams or frames to form therewith rigid plowing units, each verticallymovable in a fixed path about the aforesaid vertically fixed axis.Preferably, but so far as certain features of this invention areconcerned not necessarily, each plow is also provided with a series ofground-engaging supports (preferably wheels), each normally fixedly, butvertically adjust-ably, connected with one of the beams or frames andadapted to carry the beam and the body in normally fixed, but optionallychangeable, relation to the surface of the ground.

Vith the several parts of the plow con nected and related as above setforth, it

will be clear that as the main frame ad-' vanccs the several plowingunits will trail behind it and will follow closely the irregularities ofthe surface of the ground, es-

pecially when each is supported upon its own individual ground wheel.Each plow bodv has, for any given elevation, a fixed working angle, thatis, a fixed angle between its longitudinal lines and the horizontal.Each plow body tends to suck into the ground to a normal depth which isdirectly related to the working angle, and the ground wheel, whenpresent, is used either to permit plowing at the full normal depth or tosupport the body above the normal depth. When deeper plowing is desiredthe working angle must be increased to increase the normal depth; andthe ground wheel if used must be adjusted accordingly.

In a plow of this character it is also essential that the plow bodies beproperly leveled other depth.

In order that the loads on the several plow bodies may be unifornn'it isprimarily essential that they be evenly spaced transversely to turnfurrow slices of uniform widths. In a plow of this type the beams havepivots attheir front ends which normally firmly hold the beams and thebodies against lateral movement. The beams are intended to hold thebodies at uniform distances apart, but they may fail to do thisaccurately, either because of initial inaccuracies of construction, orbecause of lateral distortion or deflection on account of transversestresses, or because of adjustments made to effect winging or to changethe working angle. lVhen for any reason the bodies are unevenly spacedtransversely, the loads on them var with the result that some of themtend to suck in deeper than others, andthat some of them tend to move tothe right or the left thus applying transverse stresses to the beams.

The plow bodies in plows of this type are so designed that, whenproperly spaced and properly leveled or winged and working at the properangle, they normally move straight ahead parallel to the lines of draftwithout tending to any marked extent toward lateral movement in eitherdirection. However, when any of the presupposed conditions are departedfrom, even slightly, there is a marked variation in the actions of theseveral plows.

The principal object of this invention is to provide in a plow of thisclass, in combination with means whereby the working angles of thebodies may be changed or whereby the bodies may be adjusted angularlyabout longitudinal axes to effect winging, means whereby the individualplow bodies may be adjusted transversely to effect uniform spacing.These three adjustments Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

vice.

are closely related to each other, and to the Vertical adjustment of thewheel to regulate the depth of plowing, for the reason that one of themcannot be madewithout causing or tending to cause conditions whichaffect the others; that is to say, any variation in the suck or anyinaccuracy of winging, tends to cause the plows to move laterally toeffect uneven spacing; and any uneven spacing, however caused, variesthe loads on the several bodies and interferes with their naturaltendency to move straight forward without exerting substantialtransverse stresses.

In the plow constructed according to my invention, all of the abovedescribed adjustments can be efiected, and they can be effected in anydesired relation to each other. The operator can initially adjust thebodies to secure uniform transverse spacing; and he can then level orwing the bodies to cause them to plow efliciently and-without exertingtransverse stresses, or he can vary the working angles in accordancewith the desired depth of plowing. Obviously any turning of the bodiesabout longitudinal axes will affect the transverse spacing, and,

when the pivotal axes of the plowing units vary somewhat from thehorizontal, the adjustment of the bodies to different plowing depthswill also aflect the transverse 'spac ing; any variation in the spacingresulting from either or both of these adjustments can be easilycorrected.

In the preferred construction, which I show and describe, the adjustingdevices are so constructed and arranged that the adjustments can beeffected without breaking the connections between the main frame and theindividual plows. The exact result of any adjustment can be determinedonly by experiment during actual plowing. In a plow embodying myinvention, the operator can watch the work of the several plow bodiesand can then make the required adjustments without separating ordetaching any of the operative parts.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of an implementembodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of theindividual plow frames which, in the construction shown, carries twoplow bodies. Fig. .8 is a plan view of the said individual plow frame,and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view showing on an enlarged scale myimproved adjusting de- In the construction shown,

frame, as shown, is made up of a series of longitudlnal bars 2, 2 and aseries of transverse bars 3, 3, all of which are rigidly securedtogether by bolts or rivets. This frame is supported by ground wheels 4,4, one of which is preferably located in each 1 designates the main plowframe asan entirety. This of the three corners of the frame. Thesewheels are of the castering type. present invention does not relatespecifically As the to the construction of the frame and of itssupporting wheels, a detailed description of these parts need not begiven, it being un derstood that they can be varied widely 2 withoutdeparting from my invention.

means of a heavy bar 10, which has its ends bolted to the bar 9 and isbent so as to bring its middle part adjacent the bar 8, to which thesaid middle part is bolted. The front ends of the bars 8 and 9 areunited by a cross bar 11. Each of the bars carries a plow body 12. Itwill be understood that many of the matters incident to the presentimprovements can be employed where units are used each having but asingle body, and where the frame, or beam element, is a single bar, orwhere a compound bar narrower than that shown is used; these beingmatters well known to plow designers at the time of my invention. Eachbody 12 is secured to its beam element in such way as to be held rigidlyin relation thereto when at work.

Each beam or frame is provided at its front end with a coupling orconnecting device comprising arms 19 and 20 which are adapted to bereceived by clevis securing mechanisms. Each of these mechanismscomprises a bracket 23 bolted, or otherwise secured, to the -main plowframe, and having its ends bent at right angles and perforated toreceive an upright screw spindle 22. The spindle isfree to turn in thebracket 23, but is held against longitudinal movement.

21 is a draft member in the form of a clevis which comprises a platebent around the screw spindle 22. A nut 24L is mounted on the spindle 22in an opening in the plate and is held against rotation by its engagement with the edges of the plate. The spindle 22 is squared at its upperend to re-' ceive a wrench or handle. It will be seen that bytherotationof the spindle, the clevis 21 may be adjusted up or down.

The forward extending arms 19 and 20 of the coupling devices of theindividual gang beams are received between the parts of the clevis andare connected thereto by means of pins. The clevises are provided with avertical series of holes, and the connecting pins are placed in one oranother of these holes, according to the character of the plowing to Thedistance from one securing mechanism to the other is sufliciently great,and there is suflicient looseness in the fitting to permit either of thenuts 24 to be raised or lowered in relation to its companion nut to anextent suiiicient to cause the turning of the beam and the body aroundlongitudinal axial lines enough to effect the leveling of the bodies,or, if occasion requires, to wing them, that is, slightly turn themdownward on the left hand side or the right. So far as certain featuresof my present invention are concerned, the form of the supports for therear parts of the plowing units is immaterial; and,in fact, so far asthe said features are concerned, it is imma terial whether or not anysupports whatever are provided. As shown in the drawings, however, eachplow unit has a ground-engaging body-supporting device 13, here arolling wheel, bearing on the ground. It is mounted upon a carrier 1%which is pivoted atl5 in relation to the body and the beam element. Thiswheel is optionally movable vertically and so arranged that when it isin its lowermost position, it and its carrier 14; are adapted to supportthe body in a position above the ground surface, and when the wheel andits carrier are in relatively higher positions, they permit the plowbody to come to, and enter, the earth; and the body can enter deeper anddeeper, according to the positions at which the wheel and its carrierare held. To the carrier 14 is connected a hand lever 17 extending to apoint where it is accessible to the plowman standing on the platform ofthe frame 1. The plowman by moving the lever can vertically adjust thewheel and thereby raise or lower the plowing unit. By means of thenotched segment 18 and the latch 18, the hand lever and the wheel can belocked in adjusted positions.

19 is a spring cooperating with the hand lever to apply force tending tomove it in the direction for lifting the plowing unit.

By reason of the wide two-point connection between each individual plowframe and the main frame, the former, while free to rise and fall, isheld against lateral swaying. It is clear, therefore, that the plowbodies on adjacent individual frames are maintained in definite spacedrelation to each other.

The aforesaid coupling devices between the indivdiual plow beams orframes and the main draft frame also include means whereby the gangs orunits can be adjusted laterally with respect to each other to effectuniform spacing. The clevis iron 20 1s formed with a rear mturnedextension 20, which has a hole to receive a threaded bolt 25. Thisboltpasses through a hole in the ad j acent crossbar 11 and is secured tosaid bar by means of a nut 26. 27, 27 are adjusting nuts on the boltdisposed one on either side of the extension 20 of the clevis iron. Thisclevis iron is formed with slots 28, through which pass the securingbolts 29, 29. If it is found at any time that the individual plow gangsare unevenly spaced so that the widths of the furrows are not uniform,the frames which are out of line can be easily and quickly adjusted bymeans of the device described. To do this, it is only necessary toloosen the bolts 29, when, by adjusting the nuts 27, the frame can bemoved in relation to the clevis iron 20 so as to swing the individualplow frame laterally in either direction. After such adjustment, thebolts 29 are tightened and the frame will then'be held securely in theadjusted position.

It is to be noted that the pitches of the threads on the screws 22, 22and on the bolt 25 are such that the respective adjusting devices arenon-overhauling. There is no tendency for the partsto run or slack backwhen the turning forces applied to the screws or to the nuts on the boltare removed. Each of the parts is automatically held by the threads inadjusted position, there being no absolute necessity for anysupplemental locking devices. In the case of the bolt 25 the bolts 29,29 are providedto relieve the bolt 25 from strain during operation, butit will be seen that this bolt 25 would, of itself, hold the beams.against lateral swinging,

It will be clear that the devices that I have described are adapted foruse in the manner before referred to. The working angle of each plowbody can be changedas desired by adjusting the front ends of the unitvertically by means of the clevis securing mechanisms, and by adjustingone of these mechanisms independently of the other, the body can beleveled or winged. lVhenever the spacing of the bodies is uneven, eitheras the result of initial inaccuracies of construction, or as a resultof-one or both of the aforesaid adjustments, the operator can at oncemove the units to make the spacing even.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a gang plowing mechanism, the

combination of a main draft frame, a seriesv of plowing unitsflexibly'connected to the draft frame lndependently of each other forrelative vertical movements, each unit comprising a plow body adjustablelaterally with respect to the frame to change the distances between itand the adjacent bodies or about a longitudinal axis to effecttransverse leveling, and devices for retaining each plow body inadjusted position without inteirfer 1 ing with vertical movement.

2. In a gang plowing mechanism, the combination of a main draft frame, aseries of plowing units flexibly connected to the draft frameindependently of each other for relative vertical movements and normallyheld by the connection with the frame against relative lateralmovements, each unit comprising a plow body adjustable laterally withrespect to the frame to change the distances between it and the adjacentbodies or about a longitudinal axis to efiect transverse leveling, anddevices for retaining each plow body in adjusted position withoutinterfering with vertical movement.

3. In a gang plow, the combination with a truck and a plurality, ofplows, of devices for connecting the plows to the truck, said connectingdevices including means for effectmg ad ustment parallel to the axes ofthe plows to adjust the distance between the various plows, and saidconnecting devices also including means to adjust the plows to levelthem relatively to the truck and to each other.

4. In an implement of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe adapted to be hitched to a tractor, a series of individual plowframes each having a pair of, spaced side bars or beams, and ad justablecoupling devices flexibly connecting the side bars to the main frameandadapted to level the individual frame and to swing it laterally.

5. In an implement of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe adapted to be hitched to a tractor, a series of individual plowframes, and connections between the individual frames and the main frameadapted to hold the individual frames rigidly against lateral swingingwhile permitting them to rise and fall, each individual plow frame beingadjustable laterally on approximate horizontal lines and also about anaxis extending longitudinally of itself, whereby said frames can beproperly spaced relative to each other and the plows carried thereby canbe-leveled.

' 6. In an implement ofthe character set forth, the combination of amain frame adapted to be hitched to a tractor, a series of individualplow frames connected to the main frame, said individual frames beingheld rigidly again'st lateral swinging while permitted to rise and fall,adjusting devices for moving the individual frames laterally, andadjusting devices for leveling the individual frames. I

7 In an implement of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe adapted to be hitched toa tractor, a series of individual plowframes connected to the main frame, said individual frames being heldrigidly against lateral swinging while permitted to rise and fall,non-overhauling means for adjusting 'each'individual frame nape;-

laterally, and non-overhauling means for leveling each individual frame!g 8. In a gang plowing mechanism, the

combination of amain draft frame, a series of individual plow beams eachcomprising a pair of spaced rigidly connected longitudlnal side bars,plow bodies normally rigidly connected with the respective beams, meansfor connecting the individual beams to the draft'frame for movements'mfixed paths about vertically 'fixed transverse horizontal axes,'means inconnection with each individual beam adapted to adjust one of the sidebars thereof longitudinally to cause a lateral swinging of the beam' andbody along lines substantially parallel to the axis of pivotalconnection to the main frame, and

'nected to one of the beams, connections be tween the beams and the mainframe for normally holding the beams against lateral swinging whilepermitting them to move. vertically about substantially horizontalvertically fixed transverse axes at their forward ends, devices inconnection with each beam for permitting it to be moved laterally andfor retaining it in adjusted position, and means independentof theaforesaid vertical movements of'the beams about their axes for changingthe working angles of the bodies.

10. In a gang plowing mechanism, the

combination of a main draft frame, a series of individual plow beams orframes, a series of plow bodieseach normally rigidly connected'to one ofthe beams, connections be tween the beams and the main frame fornormally holding the beams against lateral swinging while permittingthem to move vertically about substantiallyhorizontal vertically fixedtransverse axes at their forward ends, adjusting devices in connectionwith each individual beam comprising constantly engaging counterpartelements for moving the beam laterally in either direction to regulatethe transverse distances between individual plow bodies and for retaining it in adjusted position, and means independent of they aforesaidvertical movements of the beams about their axes for changing theworking angles of the bodies.

11. In a plowing mechanism of the character set forth, the combinationof a main draft frame mounted in fixed position relatively to the groundand adapted to be hitched to a tractor, a series of individual plowbeams, a series of individual plow bodies each rigidly connected to oneof the beams, connections between the beams and the draft frame adaptedto normally hold the beams rigidly against lateral swinging whilepermitting them to rise and fall about substantially horizontal pivotalaxes at their forward ends, devices in connection with each beam adaptedto permit it to be moved laterally in either direction to regulate thetransverse distances between bodies, means for retaining the beams inlaterally adjusted positions, and adjusting devices for raising orlowering the pivotal axis of connection of each beam to the draft frameto change the working angle of the body.

12. In a plowing mechanism of the character set forth, the combinationof a main frame mounted in fixed position relatively to the ground andadapted to be hitched to a tractor, a series of individual plow beams, aseries of individual plow bodies eachrigidly connected to one of thebeams, connections between the beams and the draft frame adapted tonormally hold the beams rigidly against lateral swinging whilepermitting them to rise and fall about substantially horizontal pivotalaxes at their forward ends, adjusting devices in connection with eachindividual beam comprising constantly engaging counterpart elements formoving the beam laterally in either direction to regulate the transversedistances between individual plow bodies and for retaining it inadjusted position, and adjusting, devices in connection with each beamfor raising or lowering the pivotal axis of connection to the draftframe to change the working angle of the body and for retaining it inadjusted position.

13. In a gang plowing mechanism, the combination of a main draft frame,a series of individual plow beams or frames, a series of plow bodieseach normally rigidly connected to one of the beams, connections between the beams and the main frame for normally holding the beamsagainst lateral swinging while permitting them to move vertically aboutsubstantially horizontal vertically fixed transverse axes at theirforward ends, a permanently connected train of devices in connectionwith each beam adapted while so connected for moving the correspondingbody laterally, and another permanently connected train of devices inconnection with each beam adapted while so connected for changing theworking angle of the plow.

141-. In a gang plowing mechanism, the combination of a main draftframe, a series of individual plow beams or frames, a series of plowbodies each normally rigidly connected to one of the beams, connectionsbetween the beams and the main frame for normally holding the beamsagainst lateral swinging while permitting them to move vertically aboutsubstantially horizontal vertically fixed transverse axes at theirforward ends, devices in connection with each beam for permitting it tobe moved laterally and for retaining it in adjusted position, anddevices operable independently of the aforesaid vertical movements ofthe beams about their axes for changing the working angles of the plowsand for adjusting the bodies angularly about longitudinally axes toeffect winging.

In a gang plowing mechanism, the combination of a main draft frame, aseries of individual plow beams or frames, a series of plow bodies eachnormally rigidly connected to one of the beams, connections between thebeams and the main frame for normally holding the beams against lateralswinging while permitting them to move vertically about substantiallyhorizontal vertically fixed transverse axes at their for-- ward ends,adjusting devices in connection with each individual beam comprisingconstantly engaging counterpart elements for moving the beam laterallyin either direction to regulate the transverse distances betweenindividual plow bodies and for retaining it in adjusted position, anddevices operable independently of the aforesaid vertical movements ofthe beams about their axes for changing the working angles of the plowsand for adjusting the bodies angularly about longitudinal axes to efiectwinging.

16. In a gang plowing mechanism, the combination of a main draft frame,a series of individual plow beams, a series of individual plow bodieseach rigidly connected to one of the plow beams, connections between athe beams and the draft frame adapted to normally hold the beams rigidlyagainst lateral swinging whilepermitting them to rise and fall aboutsubstantially horizontal vertically fixed pivotal axes at their forwardends, devices in connection with each beam adapted to permit it to beadjusted laterally in either direction to regulate the transversedistances between bodies, means for retaining the beam in laterallyadjusted positions, and adjusting devices in connection with each beamfor moving it about an axis extending longitudinally of itself to effectwinging of the plows and for raising or lowering the pivotal axis ofconnection to the main frame to change the working angle of the plowbody.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. MELVIN. Witnesses:

EUGENE L. TAYLOR, ROY E. ANDERSON.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G.

